Industrial bioreactor for microbial food production

Enhance microbial food production with advanced bioreactor systems designed for precision fermentation, ensuring efficient cultivation and superior yield of innovative food products.

Cultivates and Ferments Microbial Cells at Scale

The GEA Axenic® M bioreactor system, designed for microbial and precision fermentation, offers a specialized solution tailored for the burgeoning needs of the food industry, particularly in the areas of alternative proteins and new food products. This industrial-scale system employs a stirred tank reactor approach to enable both fed-batch and continuous cultivation, allowing for efficient growth of engineered cells. What sets the Axenic® M apart is its focus on regulatory compliance and adaptability to the distinctive requirements of microbial processes, addressing specific needs such as oxygen transfer and temperature control using its Virtual Bioreactor Testing technology. This advanced digital twin simulation tool allows for precise optimization of the system, ensuring energy-efficient operation and optimal yield.

Capable of handling industrial-scale operations, the Axenic® M is fully automated, utilizing GEA’s Codex® process control platform for process stability and safety, reducing manual intervention and potential for error. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing production lines, this system supports continuous and pilot-scale operations, catering to food industry manufacturers and fermentation technology developers. With options for external cooling loops, it maintains temperature consistency and mitigates cleaning risks, ensuring a high level of production repeatability. The Axenic® M also supports comprehensive customization, providing consultation and engineering support to fine-tune the system to specific production needs.

Benefits

  • Enhances yield and efficiency through precise oxygen and temperature control.
  • Reduces operational costs with a fully automated system minimizing manual intervention.
  • Supports seamless scale-up from pilot to industrial volumes, facilitating rapid commercialization.
  • Minimizes cleaning risks with external cooling loops ensuring consistent temperature distribution.
  • Offers customizable configurations to match specific production requirements, enhancing flexibility.

General


Applications
Fermented food products,Precision fermentation,Alternative proteins,New foods,Mycelium,Cell-based production
End products
Fermented dairy alternatives,Lab-grown seafood,Precision fermentation enzymes,Mycoprotein,Plant-based meat,Cultured dairy products
Steps before
Cell Culture Preparation,Media Preparation,Inoculation
Steps after
Harvesting,Purification,Product Isolation,Downstream Processing
Input ingredients
engineered cells,microbial cells,oxygen,nutrients
Output ingredients
alternative proteins,mycelium,cell-based products
Market info
GEA is known for its expertise in engineering innovative and sustainable equipment and solutions, focusing on sectors such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and energy, with a reputation for quality, efficiency, and advanced technological applications in industrial processing.

Technical Specifications


Bioreactor Type
Stirred Tank Reactor
Automation
Fully Automated
Control System
GEA Codex® Process Control
Cooling Option
External Cooling Loops
Operational Mode
Fed-batch and Continuous Cultivation
Temperature Control
External Cooling Loops
Gas Transfer Control
Accurate Control in Half-full Configuration
Sensor Package
Optional Advanced Sensor Package
CIP/SIP
Sterile Barriers for Media and Harvest Lines

Operating Characteristics


Working mechanism
Stirred tank reactor
Batch vs. continuous operation
Fed-batch and continuous
Automation level
Fully automated
CIP/SIP
CIP 121°C / SIP 135°C
Cleaning method
External cooling loops for temperature control
Energy efficiency
Higher efficiency through optimized oxygen transfer and temperature management
Changeover time
Reduced through precise recipe control and automation

Material Compatibility


Density/particle size
0.5–2.5 g/cm³ / 50–1000 µm

Product type Characteristics


Microbial cultivation
Yes/No

Physical Characteristics


Tank shape
Stirred tank reactor
Footprint
Industrial-scale
Cooling option
External cooling loops
Automation
Fully automated

Custom Options


Control panel type
GEA Codex® process control platform
Automation level
Fully automated with valve feedback and sterile barriers
Cooling options
External cooling loops
Sensors,Probes
Optional advanced sensor package
Bioreactor Design Optimization
Virtual Bioreactor Testing technology
Process Monitoring
Advanced digital twin simulation tool